Method and apparatus for displaying missed calls on mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A displaying method and apparatus in a mobile terminal are provided. The displaying method in a mobile terminal includes displaying a message for a missed call for a first number on an idle screen or a call list screen when the missed call is generated from the first number, displaying a call history for the first number on an incoming call screen or an outgoing call screen when a call is received from the first number or the call is transmitted to the first number, and changing the message for the missed call for the first number when a call is connected to the first number and displaying the changed message.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 14/021,358, filed on Sep. 9, 2013, which claimed priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application number 10-2012-0104722,filed on Sep. 20, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an additional function of a mobileterminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a methodof variously displaying a message for a missed call according tosituations and an apparatus thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

The mobile terminal market has grown rapidly within a short time due toongoing advances in technology and the provision of additional functionsassociated with a smart phone. For example, various applications beyondthe basic default applications associated with a mobile terminal havebeen developed based on requests of users and can be installed on themobile terminal. Thus, the user may use voice information, characterinformation, video information, Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)layer 3 (NIP-3), and games through the mobile terminal.

In the related art, event information received in a user's absence whileusing a mobile terminal is displayed as a message on an idle screen whenthe user activates a display unit. The absence event includes a pushmessage associated with an application. The message displays the numberof received events by type, and is displayed as a text in a pop-up form.Accordingly, the user may check the number of events received in theuser's absence by types through an absent message displayed on the idlescreen.

However, since the message according to the related art displays onlythe number of received events in the user's absence, various informationsuch as from whom, how many times, and what type of events are receivedmay not be provided to the user.

Further, in a case in which a call is missed, a message for the missedcall disappears only when the user checks a phone history in the user'sabsence of a call log. That is, since a message for a missed call isdisplayed or disappears regardless of whether the user connects a callwith a missed call phone number, the user may be confused.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method capable of permitting a userto easily check event information received in the user's absence and anapparatus thereof.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a method capable of permitting a user to easilycheck event information received in the user's absence and an apparatusthereof.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method capableof permitting a user to intuitively recognizing the transaction of anevent in the user's absence, thereby improving convenience of the user,and an apparatus thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a displayingmethod in a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes displayinga message for a missed call for a first number on an idle screen or acall list screen when the missed call is generated from the firstnumber, displaying a call history for the first number on an incomingcall screen or an outgoing call screen when a call is received from thefirst number or the call is transmitted to the first number, andchanging the message for the missed call for the first number when acall is connected to the first number and displaying the changedmessage. The changing of the message for the missed call for the firstnumber includes removing the message for the missed call for the firstnumber from the idle screen, and changing the message for the missedcall for the first number and displaying the changed message on the calllist screen.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a mobileterminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a display unit, and acontroller controlling to display a message for a missed call for afirst number on an idle screen or a call list screen when the missedcall is generated from the first number, to display a call history forthe first number on an incoming call screen or an outgoing call screenwhen a call is received from the first number or the call is transmittedto the first number, and to change the message for the missed call forthe first number when a call is connected to the first number anddisplay the changed message. The controller controls to remove themessage for the missed call for the first number from the idle screen,and to change the message for the missed call for the first number anddisplay the changed message on the call list screen.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of amobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying and removing amessage for a missed call according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 3A to 3F are diagrams illustrating a graphic interface displayinga message for a missed call on an idle screen according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating a graphic interface whichdisplays and changes a message for a missed call for one personaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4E illustrates a call list screen according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a detailed graphic interfacewhich displays and changes a message for a missed call for one or morepersons according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating examples of a graphic interfacedisplaying a missed call and an absent message in cooperation with eachother according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a graphic interface displaying ageneration time of an incoming call sound in a call list according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

In this document, an idle state represents a state where a mobileterminal is turned-on but a display unit is turned-off. Even in the idlestate, event information is received from an external terminal. Anactive state includes a state of displaying an idle screen on a displayunit, and refers to an idle state where a user may perform a specificfunction through key input.

For example, if a specific key provided at a mobile terminal in the idlestate is selected, the mobile terminal is converted from the idle stateinto the active state so that an idle screen is displayed on the displayunit. If a folder of a folder type mobile terminal is open, a folder ofa slide type mobile terminal is slid, or a folder of a swing type mobileterminal is swung, the mobile terminal is converted from the idle stateto the active state so that the idle screen is displayed on the displayunit.

In this document, a missed call situation refers to a situation where acall from a corresponding number is not connected; that is, a call froman arbitrary number is missed. The withdrawal of the missed callsituation refers to a case of connecting a call for a correspondingnumber after a call from an arbitrary number is missed. In thisdocument, an absent message refers to a message associated with themissed call and to a message which the user does not check afterreception of the message. Furthermore, since the main function of amobile communication terminal still lies in a voice call and a messagesending and receiving, it is important to conveniently provide a messagerelating to those functions to the user. Accordingly, in the followingdescription, a missed call and an absent message are mainly described.However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, thepresent invention also includes a push message associated with any of avariety of applications.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of amobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 may include a RadioFrequency (RF) communication unit 110, an audio processor 120, a touchscreen 130, an input unit 140, a memory 150, and a controller 160.

The mobile terminal 100 is a personal communication terminal having awireless communication function, and may include a smart phone, adigital broadcasting receiver, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), anInternational Mobile Telecommunication 2000 (IMT-2000) terminal, aWideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) terminal, a UniversalMobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) terminal, and the like.

The RF communication unit 110 performs a transceiving function ofcorresponding data for wireless communication of the mobile terminal100. The RF communication unit 110 may include an RF transmitterup-converting a frequency of a transmitted signal and amplifying thesignal, an RF receiver low-noise-amplifying a received signal anddown-converting the frequency. Further, the RF communication unit 110may receive data through a wireless channel and output the received datato the controller 160, and may transmit data output from the controller160 through the wireless channel.

The audio processor 120 may be configured by a CODEC. The CODEC mayinclude a data CODEC processing packet data and an audio CODECprocessing an audio signal such as a voice. The audio processor 120converts a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal through theaudio CODEC and plays the converted analog audio signal through aspeaker (SPK). The audio processor 120 converts an analog audio signalinput from a microphone (MIC) into a digital audio signal.

The touch screen 130 includes a touch panel 134 and a display panel 136.The touch panel 134 detects a touch input of the user. The touch panel134 may be configured by a touch sensing sensor such as a capacitiveoverlay sensor, a resistive overlay sensor, an infrared beam sensor, ora pressure sensor. Various types of sensor devices capable of detectingcontact or pressure of an object may be configured as the touch panel134 in addition to the foregoing sensors.

The touch panel 134 detects a touch input of the user and generates andtransmits a detection signal to the controller 160. The detection signalincludes coordinate data reflecting the location at which the userinputs the touch. When the user inputs a touch location movingoperation, the touch panel 134 generates the detection signal includingcoordinate data of a touch location moving path to the controller 160.

The display unit 136 may be configured by a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), and an Active MatrixOrganic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED). The display unit 130 visuallyprovides a menu of the mobile terminal 100, input data, function settinginformation and other various information to the user. According to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 136displays a message for an event received in the user's absence anddisplays a video necessary for processing the event received in theuser's absence.

The mobile terminal 100 may include a touch screen, but the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is not only applicable to the mobileterminal 100 including the touch screen. When an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention is applied to a mobile terminal having no touchscreen, the touch screen shown in FIG. 1 may be changed to perform onlya function of the display unit 136, and the function of the touch panel134 is performed by an input unit 140 to be described below.

The input unit 140 receives an input of the user for controlling themobile terminal 100 and generates and transfers an input signal to thecontroller 160. The input unit 140 may be configured by a key padincluding numeric keys and arrow keys, and may be provided at one sideof the mobile terminal 100 by a given function key. According toexemplary embodiments of the present invention, all operations of themobile terminal 100 are possible by only the touch screen 130. In thiscase, the touch panel 134 may execute a function of the input unit 140.

The memory 150 stores programs and data necessary for an operation ofthe mobile terminal 100. The memory 150 may be divided into a programarea and a data area.

The program area may store a program for controlling an overalloperation of the mobile terminal 100, and a program provided for defaultoperations in the mobile terminal such as an operating system forbooting the mobile terminal 100. The program area of the memory 150 maystore an application separately installed by the user, for example, agame application, a social network service execution application, andthe like. More particularly, the program area may store a program forprocessing an event received in the user's absence.

The data area is an area for storing data generated according to use ofthe mobile terminal 100, and may store images, moving images,phone-books, and audio data. More particularly, the data area may storeevent information received in the user's absence.

The controller 160 controls an overall operation of respectiveconstituent elements of the mobile terminal 100. More particularly, thecontroller 160 may classify a type of an event received in a user'sabsence, and determine whether a missed call is generated.

For example, when the event received in the user's absence is a missedcall from another user A, the controller 160 controls the display unit136 to display a message for the missed call from A. At the same time,the controller 160 controls the display unit 136 to include the messagefor the missed call from A in a call list screen.

Meanwhile, when calls from a plurality of users are missed, thecontroller 160 may manage messages for the missed calls according to thecaller (i.e., user) number. An exemplary user interface for displayingthe message for the missed call will be described later with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

After the call is missed, when a call is received from the user A,associated with the missed call, or the call is transmitted to A, thecontroller 136 displays a call history for A on an incoming call screenor an outgoing call screen. That is, when the call is received ortransmitted from the same number after the call is missed, thecontroller 160 may control the display unit 136 to display a past callhistory with the number on the incoming call screen or the outgoing callscreen.

If the call is connected to the same number so that the missed callsituation is released after the generation of the missed call, thecontroller 160 may control the display unit 130 to remove or change themessage for the missed call for the number in the idle screen. If themissed call situation for A is released, the controller 160 may change adisplay associated with A on the call list screen.

When there exists an absent message for the same user as well as amissed call, the controller 160 may display the absent message on theoutgoing call screen or the incoming call screen.

A more detailed user interface of the display screen will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying and removing amessage for a missed call according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a call is received or transmitted in step 210,the controller 160 determines whether a call is connected in step 220.If the call is not connected, it means that the call has been missed fora corresponding number, and the controller 160 displays a message forthe missed call on an idle screen or a call list screen in step 225.

If it is determined in step 220 that the call is connected, thecontroller 160 checks a missed call history for the number to which thecall is connected in step 230. If it is determined in step 230 thatthere exists a missed call for the number, the controller 160 determinesif the call is connected to the same number associated with the missedcall in step 240. That is, if the call is connected to the same number,it may be determined that the missed call situation for thecorresponding number is released.

If it is determined in step 240 that the call is connected to the samenumber associated with the missed call, the controller 160 may changeand display the message for the missed call in step 250. In more detail,the controller 160 may remove a message for a missed call on an idlescreen and change at least one of a shape, a form, a color, or acombination thereof of the message for a missed call for the number on acall list screen and display the changed message. Also, the controller160 may change the display in the user's absence of the call history instep 260.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 240 that the call is notconnected to the same number associated with the missed call, it may bedetermined that an event associated with the missed call for the numberis not generated. Accordingly, the controller 160 maintains display ofthe missed call without changing the display of the message for themissed call in step 245. In more detail, the controller 160 maintains astate in which a message for a missed call for the number is notdisplayed, and maintains a message for a missed call for another numberwhen the missed call for the other number is displayed.

FIGS. 3A to 3F are diagrams illustrating a graphic interface displayinga message for a missed call on an idle screen according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention

FIG. 3A illustrates a case of displaying a generation number of a missedcall together with a message icon for the missed call on an idle screenwithout separately classifying a caller number. More specifically, FIG.3A illustrates a message display when there exist five missed calls, andthe five missed calls may be generated by the same number or differentnumbers.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example of displaying a message for a missed callwhen the missed call is generated by one user. More specifically, FIG.3B illustrates that two missed calls are generated by another user A.The user A may be a caller number or a name stored in a phone book forthe caller number.

FIG. 3C illustrates a case where a caller number of a missed call, andthe number of missed calls for a corresponding number are displayedtogether with a message icon for the missed call. More specifically,FIG. 3C illustrates that one call from user A is missed, two calls fromuser B are missed, and two calls from user C are missed. In the case ofa smart phone, it is preferable that the missed call is displayed on afirst page of an idle screen.

FIG. 3D illustrates a case of connecting a call with a correspondingnumber by selecting message display of the missed call according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 3D, the user selects the message display associated withthe calls missed from user C on the idle screen to attempt callconnection with a corresponding number of user C.

FIG. 3E illustrates an example of an interface for a call connectionscreen with a sender of the missed call. According to the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, a missed call history and senderinformation about sender C of the missed call may be displayed on anincoming call screen or an outgoing call screen for the sender C.

In FIG. 3F, when the call is connected so that a missed call situationfor C is released, message display of the missed call for C may beremoved on the idle screen. However, since the missed call situationsfor remaining users A and B are not released, the message displays ofthe missed calls from users A and B are maintained on the idle screen.In addition, the message for the missed call from user C is changed anddisplayed on the call list screen (not shown).

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating a graphic interface whichdisplays and changes a message for a missed call for one personaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a graphic interface when one call for one user ismissed. When two calls for the same user are missed, message display ofthe missed calls on the idle screen may be as shown in FIG. 4B. Whenuser again receives a phone call from user A, a graphic interface of theincoming call screen is illustrated in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example of an incoming call screen displayed whenthe user is telephoned by user A. According to the exemplary embodimentof the present invention, recent past call history and senderinformation may be displayed on the incoming call screen while reportingthat the call from user A is missed. In exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, the call history may include a messagereception/transmission list, contents of the message, anincoming/outgoing call list, and a missed call. Meanwhile, the senderinformation may include a schedule, a memo, Social Networking Service(SNS) contents related with a sender, and the like.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 4C, if a call is terminated after being connectedwith user A, as shown in FIG. 4D, display of the missed call from user Ais removed from a lock screen and the idle screen except for a call listscreen.

FIG. 4E illustrates a call list screen according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4E, a message for the missed call may be changed andthe changed message may be displayed without removal. Since the missedcall situation for A is released, a missed call history of user A may betransparently displayed as shown in FIG. 4E. According to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, the number that released themissed call situation may be transparently displayed on a call listscreen, the color of the number may be changed and displayed, the numbermay be displayed with an icon different from other numbers to bedistinguished, and the like.

That is, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,the message for the missed call for the number that released the missedcall situation is removed on the idle screen, so that unnecessary recallmay be prevented as the call list screen is changed.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a graphic interface whichdisplays and changes a message for a missed call for one or more personsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a graphic interface when one missed call from A isgenerated and one missed call from B is generated. Meanwhile, differentfrom FIG. 5A, a message for a missed call may be displayed by displayingonly the generation number of missed calls for a simple graphicinterface without classifying A and B so as to implement a simplegraphic interface. In this case, when the user again receives a phonecall from user A, a graphic interface of the incoming call screen isshown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of an incoming call from user A that isscreened.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, recent pastcall history and sender information may be displayed on the incomingcall screen while reporting that the call from user A is missed.

Meanwhile, if a call is terminated after being connected with A in FIG.5B, display of the missed call generated by user A may be removed on alock screen and the idle screen except for a call list screen as shownin FIG. 5C. However, display of the missed call for user B should bemaintained. That is, since the missed call situation for user B is notreleased, it may be displayed on the idle screen that one missed callfrom user B exists, as shown in FIG. 5C.

In a case of the call list screen (not shown), the call list screen isdisplayed to distinguish a case of user A, where a real call is achievedafter generation of the missed call, from a case of user B, where thecall is not achieved yet after the generation of the missed call, sothat the user may easily recognize the presence of the missed call. Forexample, in a case of user A where the missed call is released, a missedcall list may be transparently displayed, the color of the missed calllist may be changed to be displayed, an icon different from B may bedisplayed to distinguish A from B, and the like.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating examples of a graphic interfacedisplaying a missed call and an absent message in cooperation with eachother according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

When a user does not make contact with user A of the missed call for apredetermined time, user A may send a message requesting a phone call tothe user. Further, user A may make a phone call to the user as user Agets no answer after sending the message. In both of the cases, the userreceives a missed call and an absent message having the same purposefrom the same person. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention display the missed call and the absent message in connectionwith each other.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of an outgoing call screen or anincoming call screen for user A when the missed call is generated byuser A. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, amessage for the missed call and a notification of absent message foruser A may be simultaneously displayed as shown in FIG. 6A, and contentsof the absent message may be displayed as shown in FIG. 6B.

As another exemplary embodiment, at first, only the notification of theabsent message may be displayed as shown in FIG. 6A, and, only when theuser selects the notification of the absent message, the content of theabsent message may be displayed as shown in FIG. 6B. In this case, whenthe absent message is displayed, the notification of absent message isremoved. Otherwise, the notification of the absent message may bemaintained.

Meanwhile, when the user first checks the absent message in a state thatthe missed call is not checked, as shown in FIG. 6C, the message for themissed call for the number may be displayed on a message check screen.Next, display of the missed call for the number may be removed on ascreen such as a lock screen, an idle screen, and a message bar, and maybe maintained only on a call list screen.

That is, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,when a missed call history or an absent message is checked in connectionwith the missed call and the absent message, it may be displayed thatthe missed call and the absent message are checked in a call log. Inmore detail, when the missed call or the absent message is generated andthe user enters a call log to select a missed call list, the controller160 may display the content of an absent message generated by the samesender or the generation of the absent message.

Further, if message display is selected when the notification of anabsent message is displayed, detailed contents of the message can bedisplayed after the screen moves to a connected absent message. Further,when an absent message item is selected, detailed call history of themissed call may be displayed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a graphic interface displaying ageneration time of an incoming call sound in a call list according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a case of a missed call having a ringing time ofan incoming call sound less than a given time, for example, when theincoming call sound is rung once or for a moment, a ringing time of theincoming call may be displayed together with a message for the missedcall. Further, a separate icon may be displayed instead of thegeneration time of the incoming call sound. This is to provide apossibility of a wrong number or a spam call to the user.

However, the present invention is not limited in displaying a generationtime of incoming call sound only when the missed call has a shortringing time. That is, the ringing time of the incoming call sound forall missed calls may be displayed, and, in a case of a missed callhaving a long ringing time, an icon different from that of the missedcall having a short ringing time is also displayed. For example, themissed call that generates an incoming call sound for a long time as asender continuously attempts the call may be important. In this case, apossibility of requiring a rapid answer may be transferred to the user.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since amessage for a missed call is managed by senders, the user can moreefficiently manage an event received in the user's absence. According toexemplary embodiments of the present invention, an absent message isremoved when call connection is achieved after the missed call isgenerated, thereby, convenience of a user is increased and the user canintuitively recognize the transaction of the missed call.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A displaying method in a mobile terminal, themethod comprising: displaying a message for a missed call for a firstnumber on an idle screen or a call list screen when the missed call isgenerated from the first number; and displaying a call history for thefirst number on an incoming call screen or an outgoing call screen whena call is received from the first number or the call is transmitted tothe first number; and changing the message for the missed call for thefirst number when a call is connected to the first number.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the changing of the message for the missed callcomprises: removing the message for the missed call for the firstnumber; and changing the message for the missed call for the firstnumber or displaying the changed message on the call list screen.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the changing of the message for the missedcall comprises maintaining and displaying a message for a missed callfor a second number on the idle screen or the call list screen, when themissed call for the second number exists.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the displaying of the message for the missed call comprisesdisplaying a missed call history and an absent message with respect tothe first number.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the displaying ofthe absent message comprises: displaying a notification of the absentmessage; and displaying content of the absent message when a selectioncommand of the absent message is received.
 6. The method of claim 5,further comprising displaying the message for the missed call for thefirst number on an absent message check screen for the first number whenan absent message is generated by the first number.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the changing of the message for the missed callcomprises changing the message for the missed call for the first numberwhen the absent message for the first number is checked and displayingthe changed message.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, afterthe changing of the message for the missed call and displaying of thechanged message, connecting a call with the first number when aselection command of the message for the missed call for the firstnumber is received.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the changing ofthe message for the missed call for the first number and displaying ofthe changed message on the call list screen comprises at least one oftransparently displaying the changed message, changing the color of themessage and displaying the changed message with the changed color, anddisplaying the message with an icon that is different from iconsassociated with other messages that are displayed.
 10. A mobile terminalcomprising: a display unit; and a controller for controlling to displaya message for a missed call for a first number on an idle screen or acall list screen when the missed call is generated from the firstnumber, to display a call history for the first number on an incomingcall screen or an outgoing call screen when a call is received from thefirst number or the call is transmitted to the first number, and tochange the message for the missed call for the first number when a callis connected to the first number.
 11. The mobile terminal of claim 10,wherein the controller controls to remove the message for the missedcall for the first number, or to change the message for the missed callfor the first number and display the changed message on the call listscreen.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the controllercontrols to maintain and display a message for a missed call for asecond number on the idle screen or the call list screen, when a missedcall for the second number exists.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 12,wherein the controller controls to display a missed call history and anabsent message with respect to the first number.
 14. The mobile terminalof claim 13, wherein the controller controls to display a notificationof the absent message, and display content of the absent message when aselection command of the absent message is received.
 15. The mobileterminal of claim 14, wherein the controller controls to display themessage for the missed call for the first number on an absent messagecheck screen for the first number when an absent message is generated bythe first number.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein thecontroller controls to change and display the message for the missedcall for the first number when the absent message for the first numberis checked.
 17. The mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the controllercontrols to connect a call with the first number when a selectioncommand of the message for the missed call for the first number isreceived.
 18. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the controllercontrols to change the message for the missed call for the first numberand display the changed message on the call list screen by controllingto at least one of transparently display the changed message, change thecolor of the message and displaying the changed message with the changedcolor, and display the message with an icon that is different from iconsassociated with other messages that are displayed.